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The British Royal Family seems to be dominating the headlines these days. It all started with the highly anticipated engagement of Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle. Followed by Queen Elizabeth’s epic 92nd birthday celebration with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The star performers included Sting, Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue (her majesty’s favourite, apparently), Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Shaggy to name a few. Making our own dinner and clubbing birthday plans look miserable in comparison. Topped off with the news of the arrival of Prince William and the Duchess Of Cambridge Kate’s third baby boy.

Yes, it’s been an extremely joyous time for the world’s most famous royals and this happy train is showing no signs of stopping. Everyone is waiting with baited breath for the grand wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, set to take place on 19th May. If you’re an avid royal enthusiast then you know the frenzy surrounding Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials was at fever pitch and this particular wedding is not likely to be any different.

For starters, this is probably going to be the last grand royal wedding many of us will have the good fortune of witnessing as the next round of weddings will only kick start when little Prince George is all grown up. Not to mention that Prince Harry is a rebel in a family of strict conformists, having had his fair share of run-ins with controversies. Even his decision to marry the twice-divorced Meghan, has raised quite a few eyebrows amongst royal traditionalists. Leaving us wondering what surprises might be in store at the actual wedding and how this very modern couple will reconcile their new age ideas with ancient royal customs and traditions.

There has already been talk of them breaking away from certain smaller rules to usher in newer wedding rituals more suited to their personal tastes. A British royal wedding typically has two cakes with one of them being a traditional British fruitcake and the second any cake flavour the couple favours. Harry and Meghan have decided to do away with the British fruitcake and chosen to go for a lemon and elderflower cake instead. Another major departure from royal formality will be that Meghan will give her own wedding speech. The important men in the wedding party such as the groom, the father of the bride and the best man typically reserved this right. Not one to fade into the background, Meghan who is a self confessed feminist, will give her own toast at the wedding. It’s supposed to be a moving tribute to her new husband Harry and a thank you to the Queen for graciously hosting the grand wedding.

With this new royal couple making great strides towards catapulting the often criticized for being stuck-in-the-middle-ages British royal family into modernity, we couldn’t help but let our imagination soar. What if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to have their very own Indian wedding? It would certainly be an exercise in seamless balancing for bride Meghan to reconcile royal dressing rules with Indian clothing. Here are some supposed Indian wedding outfits for the future royal.

Cocktail

While most brides reserve their most sensuous outfits for the cocktail night thanks to it’s informality and in many cases lack of older family members, Meghan wouldn’t have the same liberties. As a female member of the royal family she must always be modestly dressed at all times. Short skirts or dresses are completely restricted for her especially during any kind of event.

The bodice of the Green Off Shoulder Lace Gown by Swatee Singh shows just a hint of skin while also being appropriate. Since it’s also customary for royal ladies to avoid wearing too much jewellery, she could accessorise this complexion-flattering gown with the Rain Drop Chandelier Earrings by Tania M Kathuria and the Medal Textured Ring by Urban Dhani.

Clutch bags are a favourite bag style for British royal ladies as they can be used to avoid unnecessary hand shaking or as Diana used them, to prevent flashing any cleavage when getting in and out of cars. Meghan can also opt for the much-loved bag style with the Hand Shaded Triangle Weave Box Clutch by Devina Juneja. Completing the look with some sensible heels like the Green Victoria shoes by Veruschka.

Meghan Markle’s Cocktail Outfit From Strand Of Silk

Sangeet

It could be her stint as an actress or her own innate sense of style but Meghan is definitely an experimental dresser. What better occasion than the sangeet for her to flex her styling muscle and pick something avant garde yet within the confines of the royal dressing protocol for brides.

The Red Embroidered Lehenga and Jacket Set by Narendra Kumar with its broad neck peplum style top and embroidered lehenga would make for an extremely photo friendly sangeet outfit. Again keeping the jewellery tasteful and minimal with the Kundan and Pearl Necklace Set by Shillpa Purii and the Kasthuri Garnet Ring by Nehal Jewelry. Cross body bags are frowned up but not exactly restricted according to the etiquette rules so the Rust Embroidered Potli Bag by Anita Dongre can easily pass in lieu of a cumbersome clutch bag. Lastly an embroidered and mid heel pair of Uma shoes by Veruschka add the finishing touches.

Meghan Markle’s Sangeet Outfit From Strand Of Silk

Wedding

A British royal bride must wear white to her wedding as per the precedent set by Queen Victoria in 1840. Even though Meghan has been married before she must still abide by this rule. Given the strict colour preference we would assume that even for an Indian wedding, Meghan would be required to wear red as it’s considered the most auspicious of all colours for a bride. Luckily with her gorgeous colouring any shade of red would look stunning on this beauty. Yet another thing to keep in mind is that the fabric of any outfit chosen by members of the royal family must look regal and should not crease easily. Princess Diana experimented with some variations of silk for her own wedding gown and the inexperienced designer received a lot of flak for the excessive creasing.

The Damiti Lehenga by Anita Dongre fulfils the colour criteria plus the richly embroidered fabric has no chance of heavy creasing. Not to mention that designer Anita Dongre has already dressed Kate Middleton for an outing during her visit to India, so she would be a safe choice for Meghan’s Indian wedding outfit as she would be well aware of the royal rules of dressing. It wouldn’t be a royal Indian wedding without some jaw dropping baubles and we would fully expect Meghan to go for all the bridal finery. The Hansika Kundan Pankhi Necklace Set With Earrings by Paisley Pop, 3D Circular Form Ring With Meenakari Work by Ayushi Mittal and the Kundan Pearl Drops Passa by Shillpa Purii would totally transform Meghan into an ethnic Indian goddess. Rich jardosi and velvet embroidered Sukhi heels by Veruschka will add the cherry on top of this royal Indian cake.

Meghan Markle’s Wedding Outfit From Strand Of Silk

Reception

Just like the colour white, lace is also a mandatory requirement for royal British wedding gowns. Kate Middleton’s wedding gown by Sarah Burton and Princess Diana’s dress by Elizabeth Emanuel both involved intricate lace in the designs. It’s essential that the fabric be incorporated into Meghan’s wedding gown as well. While lace would look totally out of place on an ethnic Indian lehenga, there is no reason why this custom cannot be upheld at the reception.

Additionally it wouldn’t be an Indian wedding without a saree so the Beige 3D Flower Laser Cut Saree by Abhishek Vermaa fuses both requirements fantastically. A single piece of statement jewellery aptly called the Princess Earrings by Tania M Kathuria can lend an irresistible sophistication to the look. Lastly an Elegant Wedding Clutch by Kaleido and Tribeca heels by Veruschka finish this Indo-western outfit fit for a royal reception.